Rose of the Prophet Trilogy

I enjoyed the original Dragonlance books, although I was not such a fan as to read all of the many trilogies and series that followed after. I have long felt that Rose of the Prophet is one of Weis and Hickman's best works and am glad to see it in publication again. This trilogy features interesting characters in an Arabian style setting. When a young mage from a distant land comes to the desert, we follow his fumbling attempts to survive in this harsh and unforgiving land and in a culture that is totally alien to him. Matthew is captured by slavers and mistaken as a woman because of his delicate features and long robes, but fears to correct his captors on their misapprehension after witnessing his traveling companions being slain. He winds up living with a desert tribe and we see their culture through his eyes. This epic tale involves conflict amongst the gods and their various worshippers, and explores the concepts of magic and the power of faith. I recommend it to any fan of fantasy novels.

The Rose of the Prophet is one of the best stories I have ever read, rivaled only by The Deathgate Cycle, Darksword Trilogy, and other of Weis and Hickman's works. The Arabian theme is a bit of a stretch for these masters of fantasy, but it's a nice respite from enchanted forests and elves. The story is rich and colorful, with pleasant curveballs. The ever present religous basis is there but with a slight twist: instead of a clumsy, forgetful character turning out to be a god, this story introduces us to jinn, angels, and 'emreets. My one complaint is the character of brother John. He has such a short and insignificant role before he is beheaded that he should never have been introduced. An incredible and classic adventure with just the perfect amount of comedy and creepiness.

Too often heroic fantasy is burdened by Tolkeinesque trappings. Readers rarely are offered adventure outside a cliche quasi-Western European setting. So this trilogy is a rarity, especially considering its age. The world- and cosmic-building are both rich and yet simple. For gamers, the notion that everything is based on a d20 is a wink and a nod. Yet there is plenty of meat in these three books to satisfy non-gamers. We have passion, romance, excitement and plenty of comedic wit. One of the other reasons I so enjoy this series is that it was one of the first in the genre to present a gay character in a positive light. Yes, yes, there is plenty of angst -- perhaps if written today, Weiss and Hickman would have permitted the character of Matthew more romantic fulfillment. That aside, the interpersonal relationships, the character arcs, of the three leads is both moving and engaging. A must read in my book.

I recall reading this trilogy a couple of years ago. It seemed to me like the Lord of the Rings grown adult with insights into the nature of emotional conversion and brainwashing mixed in with wondrous tales of genii, gods and devils. I admit there were a few obvious flaws that the authors should have noticed before sending it out to the publishers. For example, how did we come to know that an iron dwelling cannot be penetrated by a super-genii? No foreshadowing for this or similar information, I'm sorry to say. Yet despite the kinds of flaws I cannot see in Lord of the Rings, the Rose of the Prophet is so joyous, so adult and fun, that I feel I must give it a 5 star rating. No other fantasy approaches it, I'm sorry to say.

One of the absolute best trilogy's of all time....but it did need to be in hardcover..because you will read this one over and over again. requires a bit more thought then the D & D books they wrote...but thats what made it nice.